During the week I contacted Brucom, the manufacturer of the power cables and they offered to replace both my cables just to make sure.  They posted a new set which arrived a couple of days later, top quality service.

I've noticed a change in the garage recently.  Now that I am no longer welding, grinding and painting the garage is a little easier to be in and as a result I am starting to notice more long term guests.

Having cleaned up the area under the tank where I stuck a rubber insulation strip, fitted the grommets into the bulkhead and run the wires through into the boot I was able to fit the tank for the final time, I hope.

The new and old cables.

I replaced both the positive and negative cables and generally tided up in the area where the battery is stored and then fitted the battery.

I felt a little tense at this stage as I was about to turn the power on and I dreaded a load of issues with the wiring.  I had the battery isolator switch turned to off and plugged the fuses in before turning the switch on.  I waited for a while without seeing any smoke or hearing any frying noises before I ventured to trying the electrics out.  The first thing I did was to turn on the lights and I was delighted to see the dashboard gauges light up.  I then turned on the ignition and jumped when I heard a really loud noise only to calm down once I had realised that it was the petrol pump.

So now all I need to do is plug the radiator sensor in and connect the oil pressure gauge pipe to the gauge before filling it with petrol, water and oil.  Then I can have a go at starting it for the first time and that feels very exciting.

So before I head out of the garage at the end of Saturday I thought I'd fit the temp sensor when this happened.

I have a little to think about now.

I have been working on small silly things which were quite enjoyable to do but not without their challenges.  I finish the battery tray and installed it which has made me happy for some reason.  I went to connect the battery leads only to discover that the positive terminal was loose and on close inspection it came apart completely which was some frustrating.  I repaired and sent a picture to the company that made the leads for me and they have kindly agreed to replace it which is good.

I have been reading some other posts and articles from people restoring Healey 100's and noticed that they use completely different parts suppliers to me so I checked the relevant websites out.  One of them had a tray for sale that sits in the compartment for the twin batteries to provide an extra storage facility.  I presume they put the battery in the boot but wasn't really sure as the main focus was on the idea itself, it looked very cool.  Making the battery tray has been fun and reminded me of the mucking around I got up to when I was building the kit cars of yesterday year.  It also occurred to me that I should have welded two battery support brackets in for the other side so that I could mount a small storage compartment for tools etc.  Now I have a project for the future.  When the car is finished and I have sorted all the inevitable gremlins out I will make a drop in storage compartment for the opposite side to the battery for tools; cool.

I also drilled the holes for the wiring loom to go into the boot, some holes for rivinuts to mount said loom and a couple more to hold things such as the negative battery lead whilst the tank was out.  This all created a fair amount of swarf which collected in the boot area.  I had previously taped a section of neoprene into the boot on top of the chassis ridges that run under the tank to protect the tank and the swarf stuck to this like glue.  This isn't good as it will rust easily so I ripped out the neoprene, only it didn't come out easily.  I have a clean up job to do and then I will put the tape on the tank rather than the chassis.  I do need to drill more holes for the bracket that holds the spare tyre in place but think I should do that once the tyre is in place with care to ensure I catch all the swarf produced.

Things are progressing nicely.

The drive from Chamonix to London took a little effort last Saturday so I wasn't at my most energetic in the garage last Sunday.  The first week back at work coupled with a requirement to mark the mock exam papers meant I had limited time in the garage this weekend.  However, I have removed the the fuel tank and marked where the holes need to be drilled for the wiring.  I have also made and painted the battery tray.  I have fitted the exhaust only to realise that it doesn't fit and worked out what needs to happen to get it fitted.  So that feels ok.  I have had to sandwich this work between some required work on the daily driver, my wife's Vespa and my Triumph; no rest for the wicked.

It is Sunday afternoon and I am sat on the sofa with a beer awaiting the start of the Spurs vs Manchester United game, COYS.